Nolan and… I can’t pinpoint the rest, not through the sea of my suppressants failing right before my eyes.
If Raelyn finds out…
Shecan’tfind out. Nolan is the only one who knows and caneverknow.
Nolan’s eyebrows pinch together in deep concern. His gaze keeps darting around the room. At some point, an event attendant comes over to offer water and Nolan actuallygrowlsat them after snatching the water bottle for me. “Tell me what you need.”
I reach for the water and greedily sip it. “A second. Maybe two.”
“This isn’t exhaustion,” he comments. He’d know. I almost tumbled off the stage during one of the international dates. The sun had been so hot, the humidity level so high… That was bad.
This is different, and growing more different still as these moments slip by. Nolan’s burning wood scent is taking up much of my awareness, spreading like a wildfire through the air around me. Before I realize it, I’m leaning in toward him, drawn closer by this settling into place between us almost like…
Like we’re a scent match.
My eyes open wide. That’s what this is. And judging by Nolan’s blown pupils and his hand flexing on my knee, I think he’s realizing the same.
But he’s not the only alpha I scent. Ocean and pine, and sandalwood. There are two more. All three alphas are all scent matches. And apparently putting us all in the same room has sheared away any efficacy my suppressants claimed to have.
Shit, shit, shit.
Nolan squeezes my knee. “Piper, we should move from view.”
I nod and stand. The room feels less dizzy now, but the revelations keep coming. My eyes lock on another’s gaze maybe thirty feet away. Alpha. Sandalwood scent. Tailored suit, security earpiece just like Nolan’s. He has black hair and dark brown eyes, and they’re focused directly on me.
A low growl rumbles deep in Nolan’s throat. I don’t miss its intent: a protective warning.
I move a step away toward the closest exit. Even ending up in a hallway would be better than staying here where the press could sneak around some speakers and start taking pictures ofPiper Sumner leaning on her security guard for support.I can see the headlines now:Injury or Infatuation?
Nolan moves with me, but he still hasn’t said anything. If I can scent him as an alpha, can he now scent me as an omega? The regimen of suppressants was supposed to hide my scent, too.
“Nolan, can you?—?”
“Yes,” he cuts me off. “And if I can,theycan. So let’s move.”
But we’re too late. Camera flashes begin and I can hear Raelynn’s voice over the din. I force myself to stand tall. Nolan grabs for my arm to keep us moving toward the exit but there’s no point. The press will simply follow us to our car, and I’m not sure me seen retreating from this rather royal event will be a good look no matter the reasons.
I inhale deep and anchor myself in the moment. My back straightens until my posture is perfect, and I pose for a few press photos. Then Raelynn swoops in and considers the state of me. With a flick of her wrist, the press retreats, and then it’s just me, her, and Nolan.
“Your performance was spot-on. I’m impressed by the way you’ve updated those songs for tonight.” Her voice is tuned to public-press-mode, but her worried gaze says something else entirely. “Are you okay?”
“Yes,” I say a little too quickly. “Nerves, that’s all. This is a lot.”
Even Raelynn doesn’t believe me, but without the knowledge I’m an omega scenting alphas for the first time in forever, she’ll never understand what’s actually going on. She’s probablythinking what a loser I am that I can sell out stadiums but not play a royal gala without issues.
“It is,” Raelynn admits. “But I need you to do one more thing tonight if you’re up for it, then you can rest if you need to.”
If you need to.I don’tthinkRaelynn meant it the way my brain took that, butfuck.
I hate the way she must think I’m incapable right now. This is exactlywhy I started taking suppressants when my career took off. I don’t have time for this, or the risk of letting it make me somehow inferior.
“What is it?” I ask her.
Raelynn nods to the left where the king and queen stand with their son, the prince. The other alpha from before hangs like a shadow off to the left of the prince—his bodyguard.
“The royal family would like to meet you and take private photo,” Raelynn says. “That’s all.”
The other alpha’s scent hits me again, but this time it’s like slamming into a physical wall. Nolan shifts at my side. Their scents mingle together: sandalwood and burning wood. And then?—
